Niche System

ABSTRACT

Embodiments relate to a niche system having a frame used as a structure upon which a façade (e.g., stone, marble, etc.) is secured. The frame includes uprights, a back panel, and a plurality of shelves. The shelves are attached to the uprights and back panel to form a plurality of niche spaces. The edges of the shelves are angled to provide structural support and rigidity, allowing the niche system to be self-supporting.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority of and priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/072,624, filed on Aug. 31, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments relate to a niche system having a frame used as a structure upon which a façade (e.g., stone, marble, etc.) is secured. The frame includes uprights, a back panel, and a plurality of shelves. The shelves are attached to the uprights and back panel to form a plurality of niche spaces. The edges of the shelves are angled to provide structural support and rigidity, allowing the niche system to be self-supporting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional niche systems require load-bearing structures to be attached to or built within, thereby preventing the ability to build a niche system in an open area (e.g., in a hallway, basement, etc.) or in a non-load-bearing structure (e.g., within a non-load-bearing wall). The niche system of the present invention, however, is a structural freestanding permanent resting place for cremated remains. The inventive niche system can be installed in an existing structure or on its own in an outdoor environment.

The present disclosure is directed toward overcoming one or more of the above-identified problems, although not necessarily limited to embodiments that do.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments relate to a niche system having a frame used as a structure upon which a façade (e.g., stone, marble, etc.) is secured. The frame includes uprights, a back panel, and a plurality of shelves. The shelves are attached to the uprights and back panel to form a plurality of niche spaces. The edges of the shelves are angled to provide structural support and rigidity, allowing the niche system to be self-supporting.

In an exemplary embodiment, a niche system includes at least one upright, the at least one upright having a first side, a second side, and a back side. A front of each upright is an opening. The first side extends from the back side towards the front, wherein a front-facing edge of the first side has a lip that extends at an angle from the first side. The second side extends from the back side towards the front, wherein a front-facing edge of the second side has a lip that extends at an angle from the second side. A plurality of shelves is provided, each shelf configured to slide within the front opening and attach to the at least one upright, wherein each shelf has a shelf body and shelf edges, each shelf edge having a lip that extend at an angle from the shelf body. Each shelf serves as a floor for a niche space.

In some embodiments, the at least one upright and the plurality of shelves each consists of stainless steel.

In some embodiments, the system further includes a plurality of uprights. The system further includes at least one back panel configured to attach to a first upright and a second upright. Each shelve is configured to attach to an upright and/or the at least one back panel.

In some embodiments, each shelf has a rear edge with a lip, a front edge with a lip, a first side edge with a lip, and a second side edge with a lip. The front edge faces the front opening. The front edge lip is only formed in a middle portion of the front edge. Distal ends of the front edge extend beyond the front-facing edge of the first side and the front-facing edge of the second side.

In some embodiments, the distal ends of the front edge serve as supports for a façade slab.

In some embodiments, the front edge lip is flush with the front-facing edges of the first and second sides of the at least one upright.

In some embodiments, the at least one upright has a C-shaped profile or a U-shaped profile from a top-down view.

In some embodiments, the first side lip extends at 90 degree angle from the first side. The second side lip extends at 90 degree angle from the second side.

In some embodiments, each lip of the shelve edge extends at 90 degree angle from the shelf body.

In some embodiments, the at least one upright and/or any number of shelves includes a tab and/or a tab-aperture.

In an exemplary embodiment, a method for providing niche system involves erecting at least one upright, the at least one upright having a first side, a second side, and a back side. A front of each upright is an opening. The first side extends from the back side towards the front, wherein a front-facing edge of the first side has a lip that extends at an angle from the first side. The second side extends from the back side towards the front, wherein a front-facing edge of the second side has a lip that extends at an angle from the second side. The method involves sliding at least one shelf within the front opening and attaching the at least one shelf to the at least one upright, wherein the at least one shelf has a shelf body and shelf edges, each shelf edge having a lip that extends at an angle from the shelf body. The method involves allowing the at least one shelf to serve as a floor for a niche space.

In some embodiments, the method involves erecting a plurality of uprights, and attaching at least one back panel to a first upright and a second upright. Each shelve is configured to attach to an upright and/or the at least one back panel.

In some embodiments, each shelf has a rear edge with a lip, a front edge with a lip, a first side edge with a lip, and a second side edge with a lip, wherein the method further involves positioning the front edges of every shelf towards the front opening.

In some embodiments, the front edge lip of each shelf is only formed in a middle portion of the front edge, and distal ends of the front edge of each shelf extend beyond the front-facing edge of the first side and the front-facing edge of the second side.

In some embodiments, the method involves allowing the distal ends of the front edge serve as supports for a façade slab.

In some embodiments, the method involves generating an interlock between the at least one shelf and the at least one upright via tab and tab-aperture engagement.

Further features, aspects, objects, advantages, and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from a study of the exemplary embodiments and examples described below, in combination with the Figures, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, aspects, features, advantages and possible applications of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings. Like reference numbers used in the drawings may identify like components.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary frame for an embodiment of the inventive niche system.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the frame shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows another exploded view of the frame shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a close up top-view of the shelves attached to an upright.

FIG. 5 shows a close up bottom-view of the shelves attached to an upright.

FIG. 6 shows a close up view of a coupler nut.

FIG. 7 shows a frame system with shelves having a plurality of tabs extending from their edges, the frame in a disassembled state.

FIG. 8 shows a frame system with shelves having a plurality of tabs extending from their edges, the frame in an assembled state.

FIG. 9 shows a close up view of a tab of a shelf interlocking with a tap-aperture of an upright.

FIG. 10 shows rear surfaces of an upright and a back panel, demonstrating how tabs of the shelves protrude through the tab-apertures of the upright and the back panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is of exemplary embodiments that are presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles and features of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited by this description.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, embodiments of the niche system 100 include a frame comprising a plurality of uprights 102, a back panel 104, and a plurality of shelves 106. Each of the uprights 102, back panel 104, and shelves 106 is fabricated from a rigid material, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, each of a first upright 102 a and a second upright 102 b are connected to a back panel 104. Shelves 106 are connected to the first upright 102 a, the second upright 102 b, and the back panel 104 to form a plurality of niche spaces 108. A façade (e.g., stone, marble, etc.) may then be secured to an outside surface of the frame.

The upright 102 is an elongated structure having an upright top end 110 and an upright bottom end 112. The upright 102 has a U-shaped or C-shaped profile from a top-down view so as to provide a three-sided enclosure. Thus, the upright 102 has a first side 114, a second side 116, and a back side 118, wherein the front is an opening. Each upright 102 is an enclosure either formed as a unitary piece or formed as an assembly of multiple pieces. For instance, the upright 102 can be a sheet of metal bent into the U-shape or C-shape profile described above, thereby being a unitary piece. The upright 102 can be a plurality of sheets (e.g., a sheet for the first side 114, a sheet for the second side 116, and a sheet for the back side 118) connected via a weld, adhesive, rivets, bolts, mechanical interlock (see FIGS. 7-10), or some other type of fasteners so as to form the U-shape or C-shape profile described above, thereby being an assembly of multiple pieces.

Each first side 114 extends from the back side 118 towards a front 120, the front 120 being an opening. With the front 120 being an opening, the first side 114 has a front-facing edge 122. The front-facing edge 122 of the first side 114 has a lip 124. The lip 124 extends at an angle from the first side 114. It is contemplated for the angle to be 90 degrees but other angles can be used. Each second side 116 extends from the back side 118 towards the front 120. With the front 120 being an opening, the second side 116 has a front-facing edge 122. The front-facing edge 122 of the second side 116 has a lip 124. The lip 124 extends at an angle from the second side 116. It is contemplated for the angle to be 90 degrees but other angles can be used. The lip 124 of the first side 114 can extend at an angle and in a direction that is the same or different from the angle and direction the lip 124 of the second side 116 extends.

Each back panel 104 is a single sheet of material. It is contemplated for the back panel 104 to be a rectangular or a square sheet. The back panel 104 has a first lateral edge 126 and a second lateral edge 128. When assembled, the back panel 104 is attached to the first upright 102 a so that its first lateral edge 126 connects with the conjunction between the back side 118 and the second side 116 of the first upright 102 a. This attachment can be via a weld, adhesive, rivets, bolts, mechanical interlock (see FIGS. 7-10), or some other type of fasteners. The back panel 104 is attached to the second upright 102 b so that its second lateral edge 128 connects with the conjunction between the back side 118 and the second side 116 of the second upright 102 b. This attachment can be via a weld, adhesive, rivets, bolts, mechanical interlock (see FIGS. 7-10), or some other type of fasteners. Thus, when assembled, the frame includes a first upright 102 and a second upright 102 b with the back panel 104 positioned between the first upright 102 a and second upright 102 b. An example of attaching the back panel 104 to the uprights 102 can be as follows. The first and second lateral edges 126, 128 of the back panel 104 can be made to abut against the back side 118 of the first upright 102 a and second upright 102 b, respectively. Rivets or mechanical interlocks (see FIGS. 7-10) can be used to attach the back panel 104 to the uprights 102 by inserting them through the first and second lateral edges 126, 128 and through the back sides 118 of each upright 102. Alternatively, a weld (or some other fastening means) can be made between the first and second lateral edges 126, 128 and through the back sides 118 of each upright 102.

It should be noted that the frame can be constructed from a single upright 102 or multiple uprights 102. Thus, the frame can be a single upright 102 with no back panel 104, the frame can be two uprights 102 with one back panel 104, the frame can be three uprights 102 with two back panel 104, etc. With each additional upright 102, a back panel 104 is added.

Referring to FIGS. 4-5, each shelf 106 is a single sheet of material. Each shelf 106 is sized to be slid within the volume of space defined by the first side 114, second side 116, and back side 118 of an upright, or within the volume of space defined by the second side 116 of the first upright 102 a, the second side of the second upright 102 b, and the back panel 104. Thus, each shelf 106 can be slid into the frame, and with the shelf 106 being in a horizontal orientation it is attached to the frame. This attachment can be via a weld, adhesive, rivets, bolts, or some other type of fasteners. The volume of space each shelf 106 makes when attached to the frame is a niche space 108. Remains can be slid into or out-from the niche space 108 via the front opening. When the remains are slid into the niche space 108, they rest upon the shelf 106—i.e., the shelf 106 serves as the floor for a niche space 108.

It is contemplated for each shelf 106 to be square or rectangular in shape so as to complement the shape of the enclosure formed by the uprights 102. Thus, the shelf 106 has four edges 130. Each edge 130 has a lip 132. The lip 132 extends at an angle from the shelf 106 body. It is contemplated for the angle to be 90 degrees but other angles can be used. It is contemplated for the lips 132 of a shelf 106 to extend downward towards the upright bottom ends 112, but the lips 132 can extend upward towards the upright top ends 110, or a combination of both. The lips 132 of one shelf 106 can extend at an angle and in a direction that is the same or different from the angle and direction of the lips 132 of another shelf 106.

An example of attaching the shelf 106 to the upright(s) 102 can be as follows. Any one or combination of lips 132 of the shelf 106 can be made to abut against the first, second, or back side 114, 116, 118 of the upright 102. Rivets or mechanical interlocks (see FIGS. 7-10) can be used to attach the shelf 106 to the upright 102 by inserting them through the lip(s) 132 and through the first, second, or back side 114, 116, 118 of an upright 102. Alternatively, a weld (or some other fastening means) can be made between the lip(s) 132 and a side 114, 116, 118 of the upright 102.

As noted herein, each shelf 106 has four edges 130. These are a rear edge 130 a, a front edge 130 b, a first side edge 130 c, and a second side edge 130 d. When inserted into the frame, the rear edge 130 a abuts or is adjacent the back side 118 (if inserted into the enclosure of an upright 102) or back panel 104 (if inserted between two uprights 102). Also, when the shelf 106 is inserted into the frame, the front edge 130 b faces the front opening. The front edge 130 b extends beyond the front-facing edges 122 of the first and second sides 114, 116 of the uprights 102. The lip 124 of the front edge 130 b does not extend the full length of the front edge 130 b. Thus, a middle portion of the front edge 130 b is a waterfall corner 134 formed by the lip 132 of the front edge 130 b, whereas the distal ends 136 of the front edge 130 b extend out to form cantilevers. The waterfall corner 134 of the front edge 130 b is flush with the front-facing edges 122 of the first and second sides 114, 116 of the uprights 102, whereas the cantilever distal ends 136 extend beyond the front-facing edges 122. The cantilever distal ends 136 can be used as supports for the stone or marble façade. For instance, once the frame is constructed, an individual stone or marble slab can be placed over the front opening of a niche space 108 and rest upon the cantilever distal ends 136. In addition, a coupler nut 138 (see FIG. 6) can be welded to the lips 124 of the front-facing edges 122 at a location where two side-by-side shelves 106 are secured so that the coupler nut 138 is positioned between a cantilever distal end 136 of two adjacent shelves 106. The coupler nuts 138 and the cantilever distal ends 136 are used to support the stone or marble façade.

Once the frame is constructed, it can be placed in an open area or in a non-load bearing structure. The façade can then be attached to the outside of the frame. When interment of remains are desired, the façade slab covering a niche space 108 is removed and the remains are slid into the niche space 108. The façade slab is then re-attached to the frame to cover the niche space 108. When disinterment of the remains is desired, the façade slab is again removed to remove the remains. Owing to the lips 124, 132 on the uprights 102 and the shelves 106, the frame is strong enough to be self-standing and support a full load of remains (a full load being each niche space 108 having remains interned therein).

Referring to FIGS. 7-10, any one or combination of the elements of the uprights 102, the back panels 104, and shelves 106 can include at least one tab 140. The tab 140 can be a protrusion extending from an edge of the element in a cantilever manner. The extension of the tab 140 can be at non-normal angle or extend at an angle normal to the edge of the element. The tab 140 can have a shape. For instance the tab 140 can be a planar member having a circular shape, a semi-circular shape, a rectangular shape, a square shape, a hexagonal shape, an oval shape, etc. The tab 140 can be dimensioned to slide through a tab-aperture 142 of another element. For instance, the back panel 104 can include a tab-aperture 142 corresponding in dimension and placement for each tab 140 of the upright 102 connected thereto. As another example, the upright 102 can include a tab-aperture 140 corresponding in dimension and placement for each tab 140 of a shelve 106. It should be noted that any single element (e.g., an upright 102, a back panel 104, or a shelve 106) can have any number of tabs 140 and/or tab-apertures 140. The tabs 140 and tab-apertures 140 can be used to provide a mechanical interlock for the elements as they are assembled. The frame can be held together via these mechanical interlocks. In addition, or in the alternative, the mechanical interlocks can be used to assist with placement and securement of the elements until a more permanent means of securement is used (e.g., weld, rivets, bolts, adhesive, etc.), as discussed above. A user assembling the frame will benefit from the mechanical interlocks as a means to hold the elements in place while attempting to assemble the frame and/or provide a more permanent means of securement. The mechanical interlocks can also ensure that the elements are accurately in-place before the more permanent means of securement is used. These mechanical interlocks, when used with more permanent means, can provide for more rigidity and structural integrity beyond that of the more permanent means of securement.

FIGS. 7-8 show a frame system with shelves 106 having a plurality of tabs 140 extending from their edges 130. FIG. 7 shows the frame system disassembled and FIG. 8 shows the frame system assembled. One edge 130 of each shelf 106 has a tab-aperture 140 to facilitate a mechanical interlock between two shelves 106. In addition, the frame system includes an upright 102 and a back panel 104 having tab-apertures 140 to facilitate mechanical interlock between the shelves 106 and the shelf 106 elements.

FIG. 9 shows a close up view of a tab 140 of a shelf 106 interlocking with a tap-aperture 142 of an upright 102.

FIG. 10 shows rear surfaces of the upright 102 and the back panel 104 to demonstrate how the tabs 140 of the shelves 106 protrude through the tab-apertures 140 of the upright 102 and the back panel 104 to provide the mechanical interlock.

It should be understood that modifications to the embodiments disclosed herein can be made to meet a particular set of design criteria. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations of the described examples and embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings of the disclosure. The disclosed examples and embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration only. Other alternative embodiments may include some or all of the features of the various embodiments disclosed herein. For instance, it is contemplated that a particular feature described, either individually or as part of an embodiment, can be combined with other individually described features, or parts of other embodiments. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described herein can therefore be combined to provide further embodiments.

Therefore, it is the intent to cover all such modifications and alternative embodiments as may come within the true scope of this invention, which is to be given the full breadth thereof. Additionally, the disclosure of a range of values is a disclosure of every numerical value within that range, including the end points. Thus, while certain exemplary embodiments of systems and methods of making and using the same have been discussed and illustrated herein, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A niche system, comprising: at least one upright, the at least one upright having a first side, a second side, and a back side, wherein: a front of each upright is an opening; the first side extends from the back side towards the front, wherein a front-facing edge of the first side has a lip that extends at an angle from the first side; and the second side extends from the back side towards the front, wherein a front-facing edge of the second side has a lip that extends at an angle from the second side; and a plurality of shelves, each shelf configured to slide within the front opening and attach to the at least one upright, wherein each shelf has a shelf body and shelf edges, each shelf edge having a lip that extend at an angle from the shelf body; wherein each shelf serves as a floor for a niche space.
 2. The niche system of claim 1, wherein the at least one upright and the plurality of shelves each consists of stainless steel.
 3. The niche system of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of uprights; and at least one back panel configured to attach to a first upright and a second upright; wherein each shelve is configured to attach to an upright and/or the at least one back panel.
 4. The niche system of claim 1, wherein: each shelf has a rear edge with a lip, a front edge with a lip, a first side edge with a lip, and a second side edge with a lip; the front edge faces the front opening; the front edge lip is only formed in a middle portion of the front edge; and distal ends of the front edge extend beyond the front-facing edge of the first side and the front-facing edge of the second side.
 5. The niche system of claim 4, wherein the distal ends of the front edge serve as supports for a façade slab.
 6. The niche system of claim 4, wherein the front edge lip is flush with the front-facing edges of the first and second sides of the at least one upright.
 7. The niche system of claim 1, wherein the at least one upright has a C-shaped profile or a U-shaped profile from a top-down view.
 8. The niche system of claim 1, wherein: the first side lip extends at 90 degree angle from the first side; and the second side lip extends at 90 degree angle from the second side.
 9. The niche system of claim 1, wherein: each lip of the shelve edge extends at 90 degree angle from the shelf body.
 10. The niche system of claim 1, wherein the at least one upright and/or any number of shelves includes a tab and/or a tab-aperture.
 11. A method for providing niche system, the method comprising: erecting at least one upright, the at least one upright having a first side, a second side, and a back side, wherein: a front of each upright is an opening; the first side extends from the back side towards the front, wherein a front-facing edge of the first side has a lip that extends at an angle from the first side; and the second side extends from the back side towards the front, wherein a front-facing edge of the second side has a lip that extends at an angle from the second side; sliding at least one shelf within the front opening and attaching the at least one shelf to the at least one upright, wherein the at least one shelf has a shelf body and shelf edges, each shelf edge having a lip that extends at an angle from the shelf body; allowing the at least one shelf to serve as a floor for a niche space.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: erecting a plurality of uprights; and attaching at least one back panel to a first upright and a second upright; wherein each shelve is configured to attach to an upright and/or the at least one back panel.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein each shelf has a rear edge with a lip, a front edge with a lip, a first side edge with a lip, and a second side edge with a lip, the method further comprising: positioning the front edges of every shelf towards the front opening.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the front edge lip of each shelf is only formed in a middle portion of the front edge, and distal ends of the front edge of each shelf extend beyond the front-facing edge of the first side and the front-facing edge of the second side.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising allowing the distal ends of the front edge serve as supports for a façade slab.
 16. The method of claim 11, further comprising generating an interlock between the at least one shelf and the at least one upright via tab and tab-aperture engagement. 